Railing member attachment system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method of fastening a railing member against an anchored horizontal rim beam of a deck, stairway or balcony. The system typically includes a series of upright railing members in combination with a plurality of securing members. The securing member can be a clench bolt, a clench strap (formed or welded), or clench brackets. The securing member is able to secure and/or fasten the railing member and the rim beam together without creating holes in the substance of the rim beam or other deck material, so that rotting, splintering or other type of erosion of the deck material over time is minimized. The railing attachment system and method can be used on wood, fiber, synthetic, steel or concrete decks, for either newly constructed or repair of pre-existing decks, balconies or stairways.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to railings and barriers used toseparate environmental areas, and more particularly to a system andmethod for installing railing members in residential and commercialdecks, staircases, and balconies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Residential and commercial decks, stairs and balconies have railings toseparate these structures from adjacent areas and prevent persons fromfalling off. The railings have top rails supported on upright posts thatare attached to the decks and stairs. A number of laterally spacedupright members also typically extend between the top rails and thedecks and/or stairs.

Upright post attachment for railings has been accomplished by manymeans. To ensure a strong connection, a carpenter/builder will typicallyuse ½″ diameter through bolts to attach 4×4 upright wood posts to thedeck rim, and the posts then support a horizontal top rail. Sometimesthe builder will notch the posts to custom fit to the decking, whileothers will not. Some will attach the posts to the inside edge of thedeck, while others secure the posts to the outside edge of the deck.Also, some builders will use a top bolt anchor method, mounting a poston top of the deck and affixing the post via multiple bolts and/orscrews into the structural members of the deck material, such as the rimbeams and joists. When bolts or screws penetrate in this way, it becomesvery easy (for example, due to over-tightening of the penetrating bolts)to crush the wood fibers of the structural members and diminish thestrength of the connection. Over time, collection of water and erosionwithin the bolt holes can lead to premature structural failure,including splintering, mold growth and rotting.

In addition to the use of through bolts, there are a number of patenteddevices which use a system of mounting brackets, plates, hollow tubesand/or mounting sleeves for securing posts to mounting surfaces. Suchsystems can have drawbacks, such as difficulty in installation ofmultiple bolts, plates and brackets. All of these systems puncture adeck's structural components in one fashion or another. Also, thesebracket systems can become loose and unstable over time.

Accordingly, there is a need for an upright rail post anchoring systemand method for use on a diversity of mounting surfaces which can providesuperior structural rigidity and strength and strong securing capacitywithout creating holes in the substance of the deck material or itssupporting members, so that there is no rotting, splintering or othertype of erosion over time, and which utilizes an uncomplicated designthat is easy to manufacture and install in both new and retrofitapplications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rail post attachment system and methodthat eliminates the need for penetrating the structural members of thedeck material. The system typically includes a securing member whichfastens an upright post or railing member against a deck or floor rimbeam. Specifically, the securing member can be a large, square clenchbolt, a clench strap (either formed or welded), or clench brackets, asdescribed herein. The inventive system and method can be used to installrailings for decks, staircases and/or balconies, and can be used onstructures made of wood, fiber, steel, concrete or other syntheticcomposite materials.

A first aspect of the invention provides a system, in a railing for adeck, stairway or balcony, comprising: (a) an anchored horizontal rimbeam; (b) a plurality of railing members; and (b) a plurality ofsecuring members for fastening the plurality of railing members in anupright and perpendicular orientation against the horizontal rim beam,wherein each one of the securing members is fitted about the rim beamand fastened to one of the plurality of railing members, therebysecuring the railing member against the rim beam. Typically each railingmember is laterally spaced along the length of the rim beam apredetermined distance from the preceding railing member.

A second aspect of the invention provides a railing for a deck, stairwayor balcony, comprising: (a) a plurality of laterally spaced railingmembers; (b) an anchored horizontal rim beam; and (c) a plurality ofsecuring members for attaching the plurality of railing members againstthe rim beam in general vertical alignment with the rim beam.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of constructing arailing system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality ofsecuring members and a plurality of railing members for fastening to ananchored horizontal rim beam; (b) aligning a first railing member of theplurality of railing members in a vertical position with the horizontalrim beam; (c) fitting a first securing member about the rim beam; (d)connecting the first securing member against the first railing member;(e) securing the rim beam against the first railing member by tighteningthe connection between the first securing member and the first railingmember; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) with subsequent securingmembers and railing members, each railing member being laterally spacedalong the length of the rim beam a predetermined distance from thepreceding railing member.

These and further objects, features, advantages and characteristics ofthe system and method of the present invention will be more fullyappreciated upon viewing the following drawings, detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view as seen from the inside of a deckconstructed with one embodiment of a railing system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of a square clench bolt used asa securing member in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing embodiments of the securing membersof the invention, including a formed clench strap, clench brackets, awelded clench strap, and a square clench bolt.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a formed clench strapused as a securing member in the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of one embodiment of clench brackets usedas a securing member in the present invention.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of one embodiment of a welded clench strapused as a securing member in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view as seen from the outside of a deck showingvarious embodiments of a securing member of the invention, including theformed clench strap, clench brackets, welded clench strap, and squareclench bolt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As defined herein, the term “railing member” is a vertically-orientedpost, baluster, support, column, spindle, picket, rod, bar, pole, stake,shaft, pillar, beam or the like, which forms and supports a railingsection of a deck, stairway, balcony, parapet or the like. In apreferred embodiment, the railing member is a supportive post for a toprail or railing cap of a railing section, and is typically located atthe corners of a deck and at regular intervals in between. A railingmember can be made of materials such as wood, stone, steel, concrete,iron, plaster, polyurethane, or other polymeric materials.

The terms “rim beam,” “perimeter joist” or “rim joist” mean ahorizontally-oriented beam, truss or joist which railing members can besecured to. The rim beam is typically anchored to the joist ends of adeck, stairway, or balcony. As a non-limiting example, the floor joistsof a deck provide support for the flat decking boards (usually 16 incheson center), and the “rim beam,” “perimeter joist” or “rim joist” asdefined herein can be attached to the ends of the floor joists,typically on the sides of the deck situated away from the house or fixedstructure.

The present invention is a railing system and method of constructingsuch, including a plurality of upright railing members or posts incombination with a plurality of securing members. FIG. 1 illustrates aperspective view of the main elements of a deck 10 constructed using thesystem and method of the present invention, as viewed from inside thedeck. The main decking, including the framing joists 12, the deckflooring 14 and the rim beam 16 (also known as a rim joist or perimeterjoist) are typically installed first (or have been previously installed,e.g. in retrofit applications), prior to the railing system installment.Each railing member 18 is vertically mounted against the structure ofthe rim beam 16 by a plurality of securing members 20, which fastentogether the plurality of railing members 18 in an upright andperpendicular orientation against the horizontal rim beam 16. Asillustrated, each railing member 18 is typically laterally spaced alongthe length of the rim beam 16 a predetermined distance from thepreceding railing member.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the railing members 18 are steelangle posts, typically 2.5 inches×2.5 inches× 3/16 inches, withpre-drilled holes for fitting stainless steel wire rope 22 therethrough.A top railing cap 24 is attached by a bolt or screw 25 onto the topportion of each post 18, with the wire rope 22 strewn horizontallythrough holes in the steel angle posts 18 between the cap 24 and thedeck flooring 14. The wires 22 are equally horizontally spaced to meetlocal codes (typically 10 rows), and the railing cap 24 is typically 2inches×3 inches× 3/16 inch steel, bolted to each steel angle post 18.The railing members 18 can vary in height, but should at least be tallenough to meet local codes, and are typically between 30 inches and 45inches above the deck surface. Other building methods besideshorizontally strewn wire rope can be used between the main verticalposts as well, in order to meet local building codes. These include anytype of vertical railing member as defined herein, and can be made ofmaterials such as wood, glass, Plexiglas, wire mesh, or other panelmaterial.

In FIG. 2 the securing member is a square clench bolt 26, which is acylindrical threaded fastener with square shoulders that is affixedabout the rim beam 16 and fastened to the railing member 18. The clenchbolt 26, like all of the securing members disclosed herein, thus fastensthe railing member 18 against the outside vertical face of thehorizontal rim beam 16 without creating holes in the substance of therim beam, deck material or its supporting members. As illustrated, thesquare clench bolt 26 includes two externally threaded legs 27 a, 27 b,for passing through the railing member 18, a shoulder portion 27 cbetween each of the legs for fitting about the inside vertical face ofthe rim beam 16, and two internally threaded nuts 28 a, 28 b, forscrewing on to the threaded legs 27 a, 27 b. Once the shoulder portion27 c of the clench bolt is placed about the inside vertical face of thehorizontal rim beam 16, the nuts 28 a, 28 b are screwed onto the legs.Tightening of the nuts 28 a, 28 b above and below (respectively) the rimbeam 16 causes the railing member 18 to be fastened against the outsidevertical face of the rim beam 16, with no penetration of any bolts orcreation of holes in the substance of the rim beam.

The size and type of securing member chosen can depend on the size anddimensions of the rim beam 16. The inside dimensions of a clench bolt26, as shown in FIG. 2, installed at the end of the deck flooring 14,has a vertical height ‘H’ of between 5.0 inches and 14.0 inches betweenleg portions 27 a, 27 b, and leg portion lengths of between 3.0 inchesand 13.0 inches. Also, the legs 27 a, 27 b and shoulder portion 27 c ofthe bolt 26 have a diameter between 0.5 inches and 1.0 inches. The legs27 a, 27 b include a threaded portion for receiving and mating with acorresponding threaded nut 28 a, 28 b. Typically a perimeter joist orrim beam 16 around which the bolt 26 fits is between 0.5 inches and 8.0inches wide/thick, more typically between 1.5 inches and 3.0 incheswide, and is typically made of wood or steel, but can also be anysynthetic structural material on the market.

As a non-limiting example, the shoulder portion 27 c of the squareclench bolt 26 as shown in FIG. 2 has a height ‘H’ of 7.25 inches, thelegs 27 a, 27 b have a length/width ‘L’ of 6.0 inches, and the thicknessis 0.5 inches in diameter. The clench bolt 26 is fitted around a(previously installed/anchored) 1.5 inch rim beam 16, and the legs 27 a,27 b pass through and are bolted to a 4×4 inch wooden post 18. Fasteningof the clench bolt 26 to the post 18 after fitting the shoulders of thebolt 26 about the rim beam 16 creates a sturdy and secure connectionwithout creating any holes in or otherwise penetrating the rim beamitself.

In addition to the square clench bolt 26 of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 illustratesvarious other embodiments of a securing member, namely a formed clenchstrap 30, a pair of clench brackets 32, or a welded clench strap 34. Theformed clench strap 30 is similar to the square clench bolt 26, but theshoulder and leg portions are typically flat instead of cylindrical, andthe legs include foot portions with a hole therethrough for passing abolt. The flat shoulder portion of the clench strap 30 can thus fitsnugly with the rim beam 16. The clench brackets 32 are similar to theclench strap 30, but is a two-piece apparatus having two separatedshoulder/leg portions that can be spaced apart to accommodate any sizerim beam (i.e. a horizontal rim beam of any vertical height).

The welded clench strap 34 of FIG. 3 is typically used in conjunctionwith a steel angle post 18 (or other steel type post) as the railingmember 18, and includes a single leg 35 that is welded to the post 18,while opposite the single leg 35 (at the lower end of the railing member18) a threaded bolt and nut combination is included for passing throughholes at the lower end of the shoulder portion and the post 18, therebysecuring/fastening/clenching the post member 18 against the rim beam 16.It can be appreciated that the single leg 35 of the clench strap 34,which is welded to the post 18, must be substantially the same length asthe thickness of the rim beam 16 to ensure a snug fit. This is bettervisualized in FIG. 4C. Also, from viewing FIG. 3 (better shown in FIGS.4A and 4B) it can be appreciated that both the formed clench strap 30and the clench brackets 32 include legs with foot portions having holesthat receive bolts therethrough, and two nuts for screwing on to thebolts, thereby securing the railing member 18 against the rim beam 16.

In practice, the rim beam 16 is seated within the shoulder portion(s)prior to passing the bolts through the holes of the legs, which is thenfollowed by passing the bolts through the railing member 18. Typicallythe railing member 18 (e.g. a steel type post) will havepre-manufactured holes that can line up with the hole(s) of the securingmember. However, holes can also be drilled through the railing member,if not already present. The nuts 43 a, 43 b are then screwed on to theircorresponding bolts 42 a, 42 b and tightened, thereby securing therailing member 18 against the rim beam 16. This is illustrated in betterdetail in FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the formed clench strap, clench brackets, andwelded clench strap embodiments of the securing member of the presentinvention. The formed clench strap 30 of FIG. 4A includes two legportions 40 a, 40 b, each leg having a foot portion 44 a, 44 b withholes 41 a, 41 b therethrough for passing externally threaded bolts 42a, 42 b through both the corresponding foot portion 44 a, 44 b and therailing member 18. A shoulder portion 40 c is placed around the rim beam16. The strap 30 is placed around the rim beam 16 so that the rim beamis seated within the shoulder portion 40 c and between the leg portions40 a, 40 b prior to passing the bolts 42 a, 42 b through the holes 41 a,41 b of the foot portions and then through the railing member 18. Twointernally threaded nuts 43 a, 43 b are then screwed on to theircorresponding bolts 42 a, 42 b and tightened, fastening the railingmember 18 against the rim beam 16. The shoulder portion 40 c of theformed clench strap 30 can have a height of between 5.0 inches and 14.0inches between leg portions 40 a, 40 b, and leg portion lengths ofbetween 0.5 inches and 8 inches. Bolts 42 a, 42 b are typically between2 inches and 8 inches long, in order to pass through the railing member18.

The clench brackets 32 of FIG. 4B are a two-piece apparatus having twoseparate shoulder/leg portions 50 a, 50 b, each of which include a footportion 54 a, 54 b having a hole, 51 a and 51 b respectively, forpassing threaded bolts 52 a, 52 b through the corresponding foot portionand railing member 18. Two internally threaded nuts 53 a, 53 b screw onto the externally threaded bolts 52 a, 52 b and tighten each of theshoulder/leg portions 50 a, 50 b to the railing member 18. The brackets32 are placed about the rim beam 16 so that the rim beam is seatedbetween the shoulder/leg portions 50 a, 50 b, with the shoulders of eachshoulder/leg portion fitting around the edge of the rim beam 16, priorto passing the bolts through the holes 51 a, 51 b and railing member 18and tightening the nuts 53 a, 53 b. As noted above, the separateshoulder/leg portions 50 a, 50 b can be spaced apart to accommodate thevertical height of any size rim beam. Leg lengths and bolt sizes can bethe same as disclosed above for the formed clench strap 30.

The welded clench strap 34 of FIG. 4C includes a single leg 35 that iswelded to a steel railing member 18, and a hole 61 through the lower endof the shoulder portion 60 opposite the single leg 35. A threaded bolt62 and nut 63 combination is used for tightening the shoulder portion 60to the railing member 18 after being fitted about the rim beam 16. Thisnut and bolt combination (with complimentary female and male threads)fastens the post 18 against the rim beam 16. As noted above, it can beappreciated that the single leg 35 of the clench strap 34, which iswelded to the post 18, must be substantially the same length as thewidth/thickness of the rim beam 16, which as noted above is typicallybetween 0.5 inches and 8 inches thick, and more typically 1.5 inches and3.0 inches thick. Also, the welded clench strap 34 is typically used inconjunction with a steel type post as the railing member 18, as it canbe easily welded thereto prior to use.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a deck 10 constructed using thesystem and method of the present invention, as viewed from outside thedeck. This view shows how the connections created by the variousembodiments of the securing member of the present invention will lookfrom outside the deck. It can be appreciate that the square clench bolt26, the formed clench strap 30, the clench brackets 32, and the weldedclench strap 34 are all through-bolted (via a threaded bolt and nutcombination) just above and below the structural rim beam member 16,without any penetration of the rim beam 16. Also, the welded clenchstrap 34 is through-bolted just below the rim beam 16, with the topportion being welded on the opposite side to a steel type post 18 (seealso FIGS. 3 and 4C). Thus, while the clench means of the presentinvention are primarily functional, for securing railing members againstthe rim beam of a deck without penetrating the structural members of thedeck with bolts or nails, they also make the structure aestheticallypleasing to the viewer.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofembodiments and examples thereof, it is not intended to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be made from suchdetails without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. In a railing for a deck, stairway or balcony, a system comprising: a)an anchored horizontal rim beam; b) a plurality of railing members; andc) a plurality of securing members for fastening the plurality ofrailing members in an upright and perpendicular orientation against thehorizontal rim beam, wherein each one of the securing members is fittedabout the rim beam and fastened to one of the plurality of railingmembers, thereby securing the railing member against the rim beamwithout creating holes in or penetrating the rim beam.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each railing member is laterally spaced along thelength of the rim beam a predetermined distance from the precedingrailing member.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the securing member isselected from the group consisting of a square clench bolt, a formedclench strap, a welded clench strap, and clench brackets.
 4. The systemof claim 3, wherein the square clench bolt comprises: a) two threadedleg portions for passing through a railing member; b) a shoulder portionfor fitting about the rim beam; and c) two nuts for screwing on to theleg portions and securing the railing member against the rim beam. 5.The system of claim 3, wherein the formed clench strap comprises: a) twoleg portions, each leg portion having a foot portion with a holetherethrough; b) a shoulder portion for fitting about the rim beam; c)two bolts, each for passing through the hole in a corresponding legportion and the railing member; and d) two nuts, each for screwing on toa corresponding bolt, thereby securing the railing member against therim beam.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein the welded clench strapcomprises: a) a single leg portion that is welded to one of the railingmembers, wherein the single leg portion is substantially the same lengthas the width of the rim beam; b) a shoulder portion for fitting aboutthe rim beam, the shoulder portion having a hole therethrough at itslower end opposite the leg portion; c) a bolt for passing through thehole in the shoulder portion and the railing member; d) a nut forscrewing onto the bolt and tightening the welded clench strap to therailing member, thereby securing the railing member against the rimbeam.
 7. The system of claim 3, wherein the clench brackets comprise: a)a first shoulder/leg portion having a first foot portion with a holetherethrough; b) a second shoulder/leg portion having a second footportion with a hole therethrough; c) two bolts, each for passing throughthe railing member and the hole in one of the shoulder/leg portions; andd) two nuts, each for screwing on to a corresponding bolt and tighteningthe corresponding shoulder/leg portion to the railing member, therebysecuring the railing member against the rim beam.
 8. A railing for adeck, stairway or balcony, comprising: a) a plurality of laterallyspaced railing members; b) an anchored horizontal rim beam; and c) aplurality of securing members for fastening the plurality of railingmembers against the rim beam in general vertical alignment with the rimbeam without creating holes in or penetrating the rim beam.
 9. Therailing of claim 8, wherein each one of the securing members is fittedabout the rim beam and fastened to one of the plurality of railingmembers for securing the railing member against the rim beam.
 10. Therailing of claim 8, wherein the securing member is selected from thegroup consisting of a square clench bolt, a formed clench strap, awelded clench strap, and clench brackets.
 11. The railing of claim 10,wherein the square clench bolt comprises: a) two leg portions forpassing through a railing member; b) a shoulder portion for fittingabout the rim beam; and c) two nuts for screwing on to the leg portionsand tightening the clench bolt, thereby securing the railing memberagainst the rim beam.
 12. The railing of claim 10, wherein the formedclench strap comprises: a) two leg portions, each leg portion having afoot portion with a hole therethrough; b) a shoulder portion for fittingabout the rim beam; c) two bolts, each for passing through the hole in acorresponding leg portion and the railing member; and d) two nuts, eachfor screwing on to a corresponding bolt and tightening the clench strap,thereby securing the railing member against the rim beam.
 13. Therailing of claim 10, wherein the welded clench strap comprises: a) asingle leg portion that is welded to one of the railing members, whereinthe single leg portion is substantially the same length as the width ofthe rim beam; b) a shoulder portion for fitting about the rim beam, theshoulder portion having a hole therethrough at its lower end oppositethe leg portion; c) a bolt for passing through the hole in the shoulderportion and the railing member; d) a nut for screwing onto the bolt andtightening the welded clench strap to the railing member, therebysecuring the railing member against the rim beam.
 14. The railing ofclaim 10, wherein the clench brackets comprise: a) a first shoulder/legportion having a first foot portion with a hole therethrough; b) asecond shoulder/leg portion having a second foot portion with a holetherethrough; c) two bolts, each for passing through the railing memberand the hole in one of the shoulder/leg portions; and d) two nuts, eachfor screwing on to a corresponding bolt and tightening the correspondingshoulder/leg portion to the railing member, thereby securing the railingmember against the rim beam.
 15. A method of constructing a railingsystem, comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of securingmembers and a plurality of railing members for fastening to an anchoredhorizontal rim beam; b) aligning a first railing member of the pluralityof railing members in a vertical position with the horizontal rim beam;c) fitting a first securing member about the rim beam; d) connecting thefirst securing member to the first railing member; e) securing the firstrailing member against the rim beam without creating holes in orpenetrating the rim beam by tightening the connection between the firstsecuring member and the first railing member; and f) repeating steps (b)through (e) with subsequent securing members and railing members, eachrailing member being laterally spaced along the length of the rim beam apredetermined distance from the preceding railing member.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the securing member is selected from the groupconsisting of a square clench bolt, a formed clench strap, a weldedclench strap, and clench brackets.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe square clench bolt comprises: a) two leg portions for passingthrough a railing member; b) a shoulder portion for fitting about therim beam; and c) two nuts for screwing on to the leg portions andtightening the clench bolt, thereby securing the railing member againstthe rim beam.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the formed clenchstrap comprises: a) two leg portions, each leg portion having a footportion with a hole therethrough; b) a shoulder portion for fittingabout the rim beam; c) two bolts, each for passing through the hole in acorresponding leg portion and the railing member; and d) two nuts, eachfor screwing on to a corresponding bolt and tightening the clench strap,thereby securing the railing member against the rim beam.
 19. The methodof claim 16, wherein the welded clench strap comprises: a) a single legportion that is welded to one of the railing members, wherein the singleleg portion is substantially the same length as the width of the rimbeam; b) a shoulder portion for fitting about the rim beam, the shoulderportion having a hole therethrough at its lower end opposite the legportion; c) a bolt for passing through the hole in the shoulder portionand the railing member; d) a nut for screwing onto the bolt andtightening the welded clench strap to the railing member, therebysecuring the railing member against the rim beam.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the clench brackets comprise: a) a first shoulder/legportion having a first foot portion with a hole therethrough; b) asecond shoulder/leg portion having a second foot portion with a holetherethrough; c) two bolts, each for passing through the railing memberand the hole in one of the shoulder/leg portions; and d) two nuts, eachfor screwing on to a corresponding bolt and tightening the correspondingshoulder/leg portion to the railing member, thereby securing the railingmember against the rim beam.